Back--for Round Two

And it was a lot harder this time round.

There was a time when I felt on top of the world while navigating through the terminals of random airports. I walked with purpose and autonomy and alternated between moods of proud independence and traveler's excitement--head up, eyes open, occasional bemused smiles.

So also the flights were filled with a mix of anxious excitement and patient/contented ennui for the tedium of long minutes of taxi, takeoff, waiting for the beverage cart, pilot announcements garbled over loudspeakers, etc. Whatever the length of flight, whatever the destination—I always enjoyed the journey as much as the arrival; I always felt alive and vibrant while traveling by air.

Until this trip. I’ll confess right now that it’s been really difficult to get my head and heart in gear for my second year in China. The summer was wonderful and I got settled in at home—and the act of comings and goings and transitioning from one world to another takes an emotional toll on me. Plus the wisdom tooth issues made the last week in America a little challenging.

So I said goodbye to Tim crying. And I left my mom at the airport crying. And I ordered a Coke from the airport restaurant and started crying again. And I sat on the plane in a bit of a funk.

It’s not that I don’t need or want to be here. And it’s not that it won’t get better and WONDERFUL again once I get settled in and readjusted. I have all faith that I will remember all of that very soon. It may be the RIGHT place for me to be right now—but, like so much of what is best for us—that doesn’t necessarily make it the EASY place for me to come to right now.

I can tell you that it is a lot easier to get settled in now that I am here! The school redecorated my apartment over the summer, and though they did remove the crown molding that I loved—they REALLY improved the place! I have new paint and pretty much a brand new bathroom—with a shower that will forever ruin me for anything less exquisite. Most important—they replaced the windows throughout the entire apartment, which will DRAMATICALLY help this winter! I’ll post pics soon!

Plus—it is fun to help the new teachers to get around and realize how much I’ve learned in the past year. I had to be fairly independent last year—and that really gave me a boost when it came to learning my way around Wuhan and learning how to get by on a day-to-day basis. It is fun getting to help Katera and Jesse, my new partners, to make Wuhan home.

I’m sure that I’ll be in a better mood later—probably jet lag is a factor in my apathy towards year 2—and I’ll write more and whatnot. For now, please Lift me Up to Father as I try to follow Him this year. I'm gonna need more help from Him this time round!